James sauntered into the Great Hall to see his normal groupies looking apologetically in his direction clustered around the fool Diggory. Ravenclaws still smiled at James, but they were too busy studying to say much to him. The groupies belonging to Remus, Peter, and Sirius were also interestingly absent. Shrugging indifferently he sat down at his table. A Ravenclaw tapped on his shoulder, midway through a bite of toast.

"Someone at the Hufflepuff table wanted you to have this." The small boy handed him a folded piece of parchment. Before scuttling away.

James said, "Thank you," before turning to his friends and lifting his eyebrows. "I bet this will tell us why the Hufflepuffs are avoiding us like the plague." He opened it.

J-

Just thought you ought to know why you're being ignored by us. We may not be smart or brave like Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, or sneaky like the Slytherins, but we've got our own pride, and we stand by our friends. For Lily's sake we will no longer talk to you or cheer for the Gryffindors in quidditch. I think this is a little harsh, but until you apologize to Lily, we will not give you the slightest bit of help or friendship. Please apologize before the school is hurt!

- Melisande Rabbinow

"Gentlemen, it would appear that I am being boycotted by our slow and steady friends in Hufflepuff." James' friends guffawed into their hands.

The Hufflepuff table just looked impressive.

As the weeks wore on, the other houses began to feel the lack of Hufflepuff very keenly. It seemed that Hufflepuffs were the only ones gaining points, as the teachers could not stop the infighting between the other houses, particularly Slytherin and Gryffindor. Nobody had realized how much influence the Hufflepuffs had with the Slytherins, and now the horrible tricks lashed out at all muggle-borns, including those in Hufflepuff.

Hufflepuff pulled into itself, comforting its members, but seeming impassive on the outside. It was as if the school didn't care anymore what happened inside it. Hufflepuff cheered for whoever played James in Quidditch. Hogsmeade trips were canceled when two fights broke out between the Marauders and the Slytherins. Thus was the dislike of everybody turned on these four boys who had been originally responsible for the wrath of the Hufflepuffs.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

"Miss Perfect." James inclined his head slightly at Lily's approach, his voice sarcastic. He was standing on the stairs behind the gargoyle guarding Dumbledore's office.

"Mr. Potter, I don't want to argue with you anymore." Lily's face was carefully blank, but her eyes were sad.

"Well, maybe you should just-" But James never got to say that hurtful thing, as the door to Dumbledore's office opened.

"Ah, the Head Boy and Girl. Enter." Dumbledore's voice seemed tired, and his eyes had lost their usual twinkle. James and Lily sat in front of Dumbledore's desk. "I have called you here today because a report of an alarming nature has finally reached me." Lily leaned forward while James nonchalantly placed his chin on his hand. "Apparently Hogwarts has been divided, and the two students who should be setting them an example are in fact encouraging this dissension."

Lily looked ashamed of herself. James started to, but looking at Lily made him smirk.

"Mr. Potter, could you please tell me what's so amusing about your personal affairs ruining the school?"

James looked up sharply, "But it's not my fault, sir. Lily made her house ignore me and boycott Gryffindor, and they're not doing their part, keeping the Slytherins in line."

Lily interjected, "But that was only because you've been so cruel to me, rejecting me every time I try to make peace! And it wasn't my idea, either!" She turned to Dumbledore, "Jo- my friends thought that James might stop picking on me if he knew how much of what I do is in his interest, so she decided to show that Hogwarts wasn't appreciating all that Hufflepuffs do." She swung back on James, "And it is our job to keep everybody, including the Slytherins in line. We keep the peace at Hogwarts, and you cannot cope without us. Without me." The last she said quietly.

James swallowed then scowled. "Well, you aren't doing a very good job right now, are you?"

"Mister Potter, if there is any hope that the school is to be reconciled, it is clear that you two must lead the way. If it is completely the other's fault then nothing will be accomplished." A short silence followed.

Lily sighed, "Professor, it is my fault. I hurt James' pride last year, so he took revenge this year, while he was pretending to be my friend. Hufflepuffs stand by each other, ergo, domino effect. I'm sorry. I'll resign my position of Head Girl, since I obviously cannot carry out my duties without them interfering with my personal life." She took off her Head Girl badge, and set it on the table, eyes bright with unshed tears.

Dumbledore's eyes sparkled at her for a second, then became hard as they turned on James. James started suddenly, then seemed to get the point, "Here." He took off his badge too. He turned to Lily. "It was my fault as well. I should not have reacted the way I did, and you deserve better than that. The school deserves better." He looked at Dumbledore's desk, avoiding the old man's eyes.

Dumbledore clapped his hands, making the downcast students' eyes land on him. He held the badges for a second before sliding them across the table to their owners. "You have earned them now. You will make a good team, as long as Hufflepuff can start at work again." He looked at Lily. "What you said is true. Hufflepuff allows the entire school to function; without it, we are just at each other's throats. We need all four houses." Dumbledore's eyes smiled. "Now, I would suggest that you hold a Head meeting, so you can plan the Christmas festivities." At the headmaster's clear dismissal, James and Lily left quietly, much quieter than when they entered.